Hair Growth One Month After Chemo

This is my hair today, one month after chemo

Two Weeks Out

I am two weeks out and back to work (part time).  I am trying to rest and heal (while I try to regain all of my other duties as well).  This wasn't as easy as I thought.  With Chemo I just had a few bad days and I was pretty much back to normal.  Surgery is another story.  Your body is cut and you are trying to get back to your old self but it really does take time.  I saw my new doctor, Dr. Donaldson on Tuesday.  I will start radiation as soon as my expanders are finished.  He was really great.  He knew my story, knew what treatment would be best and reassured me that I would have good and bad days but that was normal.  I am still having ups and downs.  I still have moments when I am mad, I am so mad that this is my life.  I really didn't plan on CANCER taking over so much of my life.  I guess it is what it is and I am not going to let CANCER take over.  (This must be a good day)  I am still waiting for my hair, nail and eyelashes to come back.  AHHHHHHH

We are having to make weekly trips to Salt Lake.  I see my doctors up there and get checks.  This Friday will be my first expansion.  I hear that it is like having the flu for a few days.  I don't know yet.  I will write how I am doing.  This has been a journey, one I wouldn't wish on anyone. 

Post Surgery

Well, the surgery is done.  What can I say about it?  It was life changing.  I know that it was for the best and that it is my best chance for a longer better life.  That doesn't change the fact that I feel changed.  I've lost my hair, nails, eyelashes and now my breasts.  I don't feel like myself.  It will just take time, I know.  The people at Huntsman were excellent.  I feel like I got the best care possible.  I got three of my five drains out on Friday.  I still need another week recovering at home before the doctor will let me go back to work.  He actually said that most people take 3 weeks off of work.  I am just dying to see how my students are doing though.  I hate missing the first weeks of school.  What bad timing?  How dare I get cancer at such a bad time of the year. 

                          Here, I am.  Just minutes before surgery.  Don't I look just wonderful?



Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah

These are the tissue expanders...they are not the most pleasant things in the world.

My pathology report looks good.  I had no cancer on my right side.  The chemo did its job on my left side.  My tumor went from 5 cm X 3 cm at the beginning of my journey to 2 mm when extracted by my awesome surgeon, Leigh Neumayer, MD.  I also have a great plastic surgeon, Jayant Agarwal, MD.  My lymph nodes looked liked the chemo totally killed all the cancer in them.  Yeah! for my great Oncologist, Dr. Haslem.  He is totally supportive and knew what the right course of treatment was for me.  I have all these Drs helping me and I am so very greatful.  My sister in law, Cindy was also there to help me out.  She is an amazing doctor but most of all, she is my friend.  I don't know what we would've done without her through this.  Todd and I got many visitors.  My mom and dad came, they were there for the entire ordeal.  My awesome professors, Ann and Don Barnes came to see me.  My aunt Rozanne and uncle Gary came and my friend Dezirae came to cheer me up.  I just want to say thank you to all those people around me that have supported me through this journey so far.  I love you! 

Surgery tomorrow...

Well, the surgery is tomorrow.  I can't decide if I'm grateful because they will take the cancer out or mad because they are going to cut me up.  I'm scared...I really don't know what to expect.  I don't want the pain or the recovery.  I feel like part of me is going to be taken from me.   We will leave for Salt Lake this afternoon.  Ahhhhhh, please Lord, give me strength.  I know I have to do this but I need strength.  I need to be here for my family.